Sakyamuni Buddha Triad

CHINA; Northern Qi dynasty

The Buddha, located in the center, is seated in half lotus position within a niche that has an ornate ogee lintel. The figure’s damaged right hand was most likely forming the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. A pair of dragons entwine themselves around the pillars supporting the lintel and emit lotus flowers from their jaws, on which rest two Buddha figures. The foliated decorations on the lintel also come from the same source. Two Bodhisattvas with hands joined in reverence stand benignly to either side. Two floating apsaras above the niche support a pagoda. The frieze on the base features a mountain censer flanked by kneeling figures and lions. The inscription on the side of the base dates the carving to 573 and states it was dedicated by the female devotee Shentu.